Serum Interleukin 22 Levels in Predicting spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in hepatitis C virus related liver Cirrhosis in comparison with Serum Total Leukocytic count and C Reactive Protein in Egyptian Patients.

Ascitic fluid infections are considered serious complications in cirrhotic patients with high morbidity and mortality. Assuming that IL-22 possesses hepato protective properties in end-stage liver disease, IL-22 may be a relevant factor for progression of liver cirrhosis and development of hepatic complications as spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). To evaluate the role of serum Interleukin-22 levels in predicting SBP in hepatitis C virus related liver cirrhosis in comparison to TLC and CRP. The study included 20 patients with SBP furtherly subdivided into 2 groups according to culture result, 20 patients with sterile cirrhotic ascites and 20 cirrhotic patients without ascites. Serum IL22 levels , serum TLC and CRP levels were assessed for all patients. Our results showed that IL22,TLC and CRP levels were elevated in SBP when compared to sterile cirrhotic ascites with marked elevation of IL22 in culture positive SBP with a diagnostic level of 20 pg/ml with 100% Sensitivity and 83% Specificity . Conclusion: Determination of serum IL22 levels seems to play an increasingly important role in the rapid detection and identification of cirrhosis related ascitic fluid infection, culture positive SBP in particular for prompt initiation of appropriate therapy that might be helpful increasing overall survival of patients at high risk of SBP development.